Q.
I’ve begun my almond harvest and have found black substance on the inside of
some of them. It is almost like soot. Do you know what it is and is it toxic?
Should I wash it off or throw them out?
I’ve begun my almond harvest and have found black substance on the inside of
some of them. It is almost like soot. Do you know what it is and is it toxic?
Should I wash it off or throw them out?
A.
You didn’t say if it was inside the nut (kernel) or just on the husk. I am
assuming it is only on the husk because this is much more common. If this mold
is on the nut, discard these infected nuts and do not contaminate other nuts.
This reduces the potential of a mold “toxicity” to humans due to aflatoxins.
You didn’t say if it was inside the nut (kernel) or just on the husk. I am
assuming it is only on the husk because this is much more common. If this mold
is on the nut, discard these infected nuts and do not contaminate other nuts.
This reduces the potential of a mold “toxicity” to humans due to aflatoxins.
Yours is most likely one of the “bread
molds” infesting the husk or hull and probably developed due to recent rains
and high humidity. The nut is safe to eat if not infected. Normally hull rot,
as it is called, is not as common here as it is in more humid climates where it
can actually attack fruiting portions of the tree and cause a decline in
production.
molds” infesting the husk or hull and probably developed due to recent rains
and high humidity. The nut is safe to eat if not infected. Normally hull rot,
as it is called, is not as common here as it is in more humid climates where it
can actually attack fruiting portions of the tree and cause a decline in
production.
Hull rot is accentuated if you apply too
much water and nitrogen fertilizer to the tree. Let them get a little “hungry”
for fertilizer and start applying less water to them 4-6 weeks before harvest
(skip an irrigation day). If this problem will probably not continue in future
years unless it rains again during nut hardening.
much water and nitrogen fertilizer to the tree. Let them get a little “hungry”
for fertilizer and start applying less water to them 4-6 weeks before harvest
(skip an irrigation day). If this problem will probably not continue in future
years unless it rains again during nut hardening.
Harvest the nuts, dry them out, remove the
husk and inspect the nut when you open it. If the nut is infected, discard
these nuts and wash your hands.
husk and inspect the nut when you open it. If the nut is infected, discard
these nuts and wash your hands.